Fixators for bone stabilization and associated systems and methods

Abstract

The present technology relates generally to ring fixators and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, for example, a ring fixator assembly comprises a ring configured to surround a fractured bone, a retention device disposed at a first position on the ring, and a tensioner clamp disposed at a second position on the ring. A wire extends between the retention device and the tensioner clamp. The tensioner clamp includes a first screw configured to secure the wire in position with respect to the tensioner clamp and a second screw configured to apply additional tension to the wire.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for stabilizing bone comprising the steps of:
 providing a ring fixator assembly comprising:
 a ring configured to surround a bone; 
 at least one tensioner clamp disposed on the ring at a first position; and 
 a wire disposed within the tensioner clamp and fixated to the ring at a second position, 
 
 positioning the at least one tensioner clamp to clamp the wire by rotating a clamping member and provide tension to the wire by rotating a tensioning member. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping member and the tensioning member are configured to be controlled by a single driver. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioner clamp comprises a housing surrounding a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly comprising:
 a collet housing; and 
 a collet received at least partially within the collet housing, 
 wherein the wire passes through a central opening in the collet, 
 wherein the clamping member comprises a clamping screw threadably engaged with the collet such that rotation of the clamping screw causes the collet to be drawn into the collet housing, thereby clamping the wire, and 
 wherein the tensioning member is a tensioning screw that is configured to threadably engage with the housing and to couple to the clamping assembly. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the collet comprises a compressible end portion that compresses when drawn into the collet housing, thereby clamping the wire. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tensioning screw is coaxial with the clamping screw. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioner clamp comprises a housing surrounding a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly comprising:
 a clamp body with a central opening that receives the wire therethrough; and 
 an aperture in the clamp body, the aperture transverse to the central opening, 
 wherein the clamping member is a set screw threadably received in the aperture such that rotation of the set screw applies pressure to the wire, thereby clamping the wire within the clamp body. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a spring within the housing and surrounding a portion of the clamp body, the spring configured to urge the clamp body away from the tensioning member. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises:
 a first ring portion; 
 a second ring portion; and 
 a quick-connect assembly that releasably couples the first ring portion to the second ring portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the quick-connect assembly comprises first magnetic features disposed on ends of the first ring portion and second magnetic features disposed on ends of the second ring portion, the first and second magnetic features configured to be magnetically joined together. 
     
     
       10. A method for stabilizing bone comprising the steps of:
 providing a ring fixator assembly comprising:
 a ring configured to surround a bone; 
 a spacer coupled to the ring and extending radially inwardly from the ring, the spacer configured to engage a patient's anatomy when the ring is positioned around a patient's limb; 
 at least one tensioner clamp disposed on the ring at a first position; and 
 a wire disposed within the tensioner clamp and fixed to the ring at a second position 
 
 positioning the at least one tensioner clamp to clamp the wire by rotating a clamping member and provide tension to the wire by rotating a tensioning member. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one tensioner clamp comprises a central passage configured to receive a wire therein. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping member comprises a clamping screw and the tensioning member comprises a tensioning screw, and wherein the clamping screw and the tensioning screw are configured to be controlled by a single driver. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tensioner clamp comprises a housing surrounding a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly comprising:
 a collet housing; and 
 a collet received at least partially within the collet housing, 
 wherein the wire passes through a central opening in the collet, 
 wherein the clamping member is configured to threadably engage with the collet such that rotation of the clamping member causes the collet to be drawn into the collet housing, thereby clamping the wire. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tensioning member is configured to threadably engage with the housing and couple to the clamping assembly. 
     
     
       15. The method assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the collet comprises a compressible end portion that compresses when drawn into the collet housing, thereby clamping the wire. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the compressible end portion comprises flared portions separated by gaps. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the tensioning member is coaxial with the clamping member. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tensioner clamp comprises a housing surrounding a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly comprising:
 a clamp body with a central opening that receives the wire therethrough; and 
 an aperture in the clamp body, the aperture transverse to the central opening, 
 wherein the clamping member is a set screw threadably received in the aperture such that rotation of the set screw applies pressure to the wire, thereby clamping the wire within the clamp body. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a tensioning nut threadably engaged with the clamping assembly and coupled to the housing. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a spring within the housing and surrounding a portion of the clamp body, the spring configured to urge the clamp body away from the tensioning nut.